iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Seth Finnegan @sethf.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship program is accepting applications until November 1. If you're a finishing Ph.D student or recent grad interested in coming to Berkeley to work on a project in paleobiology/paleoecology/geobiology please feel free to reach out! ppfp.ucop.edu/info/

ppfp.ucop.edu

University of California | President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

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Peter Roopnarine @peterroopnarine.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I have a Perspective piece in Science, "The scales of strain on sharks" www.science.org/doi/full/10.... commenting on a really wonderful article by Erin Dillon et al., "Fossil denticles reveal how ocean productivity shapes shark baselines and recovery potential" www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Thanks to the editorial for featuring the denticle paper (by @erinmdillon.bsky.social and team) on the cover. And thanks @peterroopnarine.bsky.social for writing this insightful perspective www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.org

The scales of strain on sharks

The fossil record attributes shark decline in the Caribbean to human activity

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Erin Dillon @erinmdillon.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

How many #sharks should there be on a coral #reef? Our new publication in Science tackles this question using thousands of fossil shark dermal denticles—tiny, tooth-like scales that are shed and preserve in sediments—from Panama's two oceans. Check it out here: doi.org/10.1126/scie...

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Z. Jack Tseng @tsengzj.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Exhilarated to share a 2nd @science.org cover article this month from our lab @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social! A collaboration with US & Mexico colleagues on the role of a Mexican biogeographic holding pen in shaping the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI)(1/11) www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Cover of Science magazine for July 30, 2026. Caption from Science reads: A three-dimensional rendering shows the land bridge connection between North and South America. Research on the fossil record of mammals in Mexico suggests that the geographic region acted as a biodiversity “holding pen” for 10 million years, buffering the pace of both northward and southward movements of mammal species leading up to the Great American Biotic Interchange.

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Luke Anderson @dialektical.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Excited to share a preprint of my 3rd dissertation chapter! We evaluated how a potential genomic measure of sexual selection strength, the ratio of genetic diversity on the Z chromosome vs the autosomes, varies across selective and biogeographic contexts in #manakins. Check it out! bit.ly/4fY43de

biorxiv.org

Can the Z:A ratio serve as a genomic index of sexual selection? An assessment across space and time in a genus of lekking birds

Understanding the role of sexual selection in shaping evolutionary trajectories is a key goal of biology, and thus developing a genomic measure of sexual selection strength is desirable. In systems wi...

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Dr. Suzette Flantua @suzetteflantua.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Apply!! 3 open postdocs in biome biogeography and macroecology in @nezimmermann.bsky.social's amazing ERC project on global biome mapping and evolution: 1) apply.refline.ch/273855/1856/... 2) apply.refline.ch/273855/1857/... 3) apply.refline.ch/273855/1858/...

apply.refline.ch

PostDoc in Biome Analysis and Functional Characterization 70-100% (f/m/d)

The Research Group Dynamic Macroecology led by Dr. Niklaus E. Zimmermann studies questions related to spatial ecology, macroecology and -evolution and global biome dynamics. For this group, we are loo...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

This is the local coatí. The kids named him Baron Von Bullfroggen

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

The intense upwelling of the last few weeks has collapsed as trade winds failed again. One possible reason is the Bermuda high is weak and positioned east than is needed to drive the pressure gradient that sets up wind-jet upwelling in the Gulf of Panama, although this idea needs further exploration

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Upwelling Update 20th Feb. The thermocline remains close to the surface although wind strength has decreased

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Data now in up 5th Feb 2026 and upwelling has returned with a vengeance! The thermocline is now close to the surface and we are hearing reports of surface waters as low as 16 degrees C in some parts of the Gulf. Is this the strongest upwelling ever recorded? Interesting after last year's failure!

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

New data in! Now up to the 20th January. 2026 seems to be following a more normal trajectory than 2025, but it's too early to say for sure

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

We are closely tracking the 2026 upwelling season in collaboration with STRI's Marine Monitoring Program. I will present periodic updates on how the thermocline is evolving through the year. So far, too early to say! More info on data collection and analysis here: odealab.com/upwelling-up...

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Pimiento Research Group @pimientogroup.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Our new paper is online! We found that 1) today's shark & ray diversity was already reached ~100Ma; 2) that the K/Pg extinction was not catastrophic; 3) that the max diversity was reached ~50Ma; and 4) that today's diversity is depleted compared to the past. www.cell.com/current-biol...

cell.com

Revealing the hidden patterns of shark and ray diversity over the past 145 million years

Gardiner et al. reconstruct the diversity of sharks and rays across the past 145 million years using deep learning and an extensive dataset. Their results unveil previously hidden patterns, including ...

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Erin Dillon @erinmdillon.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

New paper out today! "Fossil otolith assemblages reveal millennial-scale changes in reef fish biomass and trophic structure across the Isthmus of Panama" 🔓https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2024.0419 We used fossil fish otoliths to reconstruct community structure and energetics over millennia.

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

That's the one. Thanks a lot!

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

In 2025 the normally predictable upwelling in the Gulf of Panama failed to appear - the first time since our records began 40 years ago (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2512056122I). We are studying the gulf carefully to see what will happen in 2026. Will it also fail or was 2025 a one-off?

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Friederike Clever, PhD @cfrederica.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

So excited to see this out! Metabarcoding shows fishes shift diets on degraded reefs; growth rates similar, condition diverged → species-specific coping strategies buff.ly/kGkEDpw @mattleray.bsky.social @nancyknowlton.bsky.social @odealab.bsky.social @sbac-manmetuni.bsky.social @stri_panama +others

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Lewis A. Jones (he/him) @lewisajones.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Interested in Historical Ecology and Conservation Palaeobiology? 🪸🦀 Steve Pates and I are offering a PhD project on Unlocking Palaeo-Historical Biodiversity Data to Inform Ecological Baselines @es-ucl.bsky.social @uclcber.bsky.social 🗓️ Apply by 19th January 2026 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

findaphd.com

Unlocking Palaeo-Historical Biodiversity Data to Inform Ecological Baselines through AI at University of Reading on FindAPhD.com

PhD Project - Unlocking Palaeo-Historical Biodiversity Data to Inform Ecological Baselines through AI at University of Reading, listed on FindAPhD.com

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

This beautiful artwork made by Yun-Kae Kiang for the study illustrates the abundance of lanternfishes and other pelagic animals recovered at the Piña site. Love the cookie-cutter shark - we find a lot of their teeth at the site

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

We found that more than 96% of the otoliths recovered from the Piña site belonged to the family Myctophidae - the lanternfishes - demonstrating that the Miocene Caribbean waters were highly productive in contrast to the oligotrophic Caribbean today

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

We named 4 new fishspecies: Chiloconger aflorens, Dasyscopelus inopinatus, Malakichthys schwarzhansi, and Hoplostethus boyae. This one after Brigida de Gracia, Ngäbe fossil fish expert who has contributed greatly to understanding Panama's natural history. Her nickname is Boya, hence the species name

Illustration of new species drawn by Natasha Hinojosa

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

The site is remarkable for many reasons, but the density of otoliths in the sediments really stands out. They are so abundant they are clearly visible as you walk over the wave-cut platform...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

With otolith master Chien-Hsiang Lin, we studied the remarkable fish fauna of the late Miocene Chagres formation in Caribbean Panama peerj.com/articles/201...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

#ICRS is the premier conference for all things coral reef, and a great place to foster thinking and collaboration between ecologists, historical ecologists, and palaeontologists. Consider submitting your abstract to "Reefs through Time", hosted by some top-notch researchers #Coral #Paleobiology

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Dr. Brendan Anderson @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

In time for #FossilFriday, a new paper by Jansen Smith and many paleontologists (including me) on what questions the field may focus on in the coming decade Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core - www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

cambridge.org

Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core

Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences @pnas.org · 24/09/2025

One of the most-viewed PNAS articles in the last week is “Unprecedented suppression of Panama’s Pacific upwelling in 2025.” Explore the article here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... For more trending articles, visit ow.ly/Me2U50SkLRZ.

Wind-jet upwelling in the GOP. (A) Typical wind vectors and SST through the topographic low in the Isthmus of Panama showing reduced sea surface temperatures in the Gulf (Feb 4, 2019). (B) Daily satellite-derived SST 1985–2025. Dashed line shows the lowest 2025 SST (27.5 °C); gray arrow indicates anomalous 2025.

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

New paper! led by Chris Perry: Most W. Atlantic reefs in current state can't keep up with sealevel rise at 2°C+. If reefs could accrete at Holocene rates (like these in Enriquillo basin) they'd manage fine. Restoration pockets offer some local hope, but overall sobering news doi.org/10.1038/s415...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Here in the tropics, climate "disruption" can upend predictable processes that coastal communities rely on. There are many regionally-important upwelling zones across the tropics. All need better monitoring and climate predictions. Great collaboration with @mpic.de.‬ OA! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

More than 95% biomass of Panama's fisheries comes from the Pacific coast and the #1 largest export of Panama is sea food. Upwelling is economically critical for Panama and its people. Is this a one-off or a vision of the future? Photo: Steve Paton/STRI

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

It appears the culprit was dramatically reduced wind patterns—74% fewer northerly winds with much shorter duration when they did occur. Just not enough to kick-start the upwelling...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

We analysed long term records of temperature and wind in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry using the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's long term monitoring program data. Here's to institutional monitoring!

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

This seasonal upwelling is driven by the trade winds, and it brings cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface. Year on, year out it has predictably supported ocean life and fisheries for millennia. The cooling waters also protect coral reefs from heat stress. Photos: Natasha Hinojosa and Steve Paton

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

📊 new paper! The natural phenomenon of upwelling, which normally occurs every year in the Gulf of Panama, failed for the first time on record in 2025... www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... [most co-authors not on bluesky except @javsdiaz.bsky.social @jonscibulski.bsky.social]...

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Adiel Klompmaker @paleoadiel.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Just one more week (till 5 Sept) to apply for the postdoc position with me at UA Museums' Department of Museum Research and Collections. NSF-project together with Jill Leonard-Pingel, @odealab.bsky.social, and @sethf.bsky.social focused on marine ecosystems in Panama. bsky.app/profile/pale...

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Harriet E. Nuttall @whosyourmammal.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Calling all Palaeontology PhD candidates and post-docs everywhere! No matter what your particular field of research or country of institution, please follow forms.gle/cLLkEjdLjPrT... and fill in my ANONYMOUS RESEARCH SURVEY – #Yourpalaeolife : investigating fieldwork by early career palaeontologists

forms.gle

#Yourpalaeolife: the experience of early career palaeontologists and fieldwork

Hello everybody! Welcome to my anonymous survey about fieldwork in palaeontology. I want to know about your experiences: what is the place of fieldwork in our research lives, how to we view it, and h...

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Adiel Klompmaker @paleoadiel.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Job Alert‼️ Postdoctoral Fellow opportunity in paleontology/biology at the University of Alabama Museums: careers.ua.edu/jobs/688232b... Aim: assess biotic interactions using mollusks from both sides of the Isthmus of Panama. Please share widely! @paleosoc.bsky.social @almnh.bsky.social

Postdoctoral Fellow opportunity. The NSF-funded project “Energetic Controls on Marine Benthic Community Structure in Space and Time” aims to (1) evaluate how productivity affects the energetic and trophic structure of marine benthic communities on either side of the modern Isthmus of Panama, where there is now a strong contrast between the high productivity, upwelling-dominated regime of the eastern Pacific and the low-productivity, low-seasonality regime of the Caribbean (2) use this knowledge to evaluate the fossil record of Caribbean benthic ecosystems before, during, and after the uplift of the isthmus during which planktonic productivity decreased in the Caribbean and (3) relate ecosystem changes driven by productivity shifts to the well documented Caribbean extinction event ~2 Ma. This is a project in collaboration with Ohio State U, UC Berkeley, and STRI.
One key component of this project is to assess biotic interactions such as predation and possibly parasitism using fossil and modern molluscan assemblages from both sides of the Isthmus of Panama. I am recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow with a background in paleontology and/or biology/ecology with strong quantitative skills, attention to detail and organization, and someone who can effectively supervise students. Conference support is provided. The postdoc will work with Dr. Adiel Klompmaker (aaklompmaker@ua.edu) within the University of Alabama Museums’ Department of Museum Research and Collections (https://collections.museums.ua.edu/).
Initial appointment will be for 1 year, with renewal contingent upon funding. The deadline to apply is 5 September 2025 at 22:55 US Central Day Time. The salary will be $56,000 per year. Please upload a cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications, a CV, and contact details of at least two references. To apply and for more information see: https://careers.ua.edu/jobs/688232bd-b82e-49d3-90ea-06601c242dab

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

I do like a good past analogue for future change. V cool study by Pallacks et al shows how twilight zone lanternfishes—vital prey & carbon cyclers and earth's largest biomass—vanished from the E. Mediterranean when oxygen dropped, but rebounded fast when it returned. www.nature.com/articles/s43...

nature.com

Ocean deoxygenation linked to ancient mesopelagic fish decline - Communications Earth & Environment

Historical phases of ocean oxygen minimum are associated with near extinctions of mesopelagic fish, suggesting risks of future deoxygenation to marine fisheries due to warming, according to an analysi...

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

We are hiring a lab manager for our lab family at Naos Island in Panama. More information and position description here: odealab.com/opportunities/. Deadline is today, but if you need more time please just let me know

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Nice video report from Shuchita Jha at @inold.news on our Caribbean reef trophodynamics paper (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...). How can some reef fishes be bigger today than they were 7,000 years ago? youtu.be/buGORJ3F1iM

youtu.be

Caribbean Coral Reefs Meet Archaeology

YouTube video by Neighbird

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Paywalled? Grab the pdf here: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ig0x2...

dropbox.com

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Thrilled to share our new paper, led by @jonscibulski.bsky.social, on the rich 16kyr-long history of human-ocean interactions along the Pacific coast of Panama and Costa Rica. Inspired by the late Richard Cooke MBE and beautifully illustrated by his son, @cookedillustrations.com #PaleoSky

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Paywall? Get the pdf here: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4tf47... Joint first author: @erinmdillon.bsky.social plus other lovelies, including @gobyone.bsky.social @kt-cramer.bsky.social @jonscibulski.bsky.social @mattleray.bsky.social and others.

dropbox.com

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

While writing this paper, our labs underwent their own trophic cascade! We used to have a few scorpions here and there. Administration put out scorpion poison and the we became infested by millipedes (?Chondrodesmus)

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

While all this was going, the cryptobenthic fishes showed remarkable stability with no change in body size or abundance over 7,000 years. Are they immune to the cascading effects of predation or are bottom-up factors more important? Photo by @gobyone.bsky.social

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

We also looked at the frequency of damselfish bite marks on Acropora coral. They increased nearly 10-fold on modern compared to ancient reefs, suggesting more damselfishes and again, reduced predation. Photo of S. planifrons in Bocas del Toro by @hannah-rempel.bsky.social

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

We found that sharks and fishes that are commonly targeted by humans are >50% depleted and 22% smaller today than 7,000 years ago. Expected given long term exploitation! What surprised us was that prey fish doubled in abundance and are growing 17% larger today, suggesting release from predation

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Aaron O'Dea @odealab.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

and extracted thousands of reef fish otoliths and dermal denticles from the fine reef sediments

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